Abdullah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, on Saturday said that an early withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan will have some impacts on the ongoing peace process and the country’s situation but added that Afghans should be ready for any type of conditions and that they should work for their future together.
He made the remarks at an event at Afghanistan’s embassy in New Delhi on the last day of his four-day visit to India.
Abdullah said that whatever the decision on the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan, Afghans should come together and make their nation and the country on their own and that it should not be dependent on staying or withdrawal of the troops.
“No doubt, if it (troops pullout) is done early or ahead of ensuring peace in the country, it will have its impact but despite that, the first and the last responsibility is on us, on Afghans, so that what can we do under such circumstances and how can we prevent a crisis. It has only one response: we should strengthen our unity,” Abdullah said.
Late last week, US President Donald Trump in a tweet promised to withdraw his forces from Afghanistan by the end of this year. However, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the withdrawal will be dependent to the situation on the ground in Afghanistan.
Abdullah said that there isn’t any “spoiler” of the peace process within the Afghan government but added that some individuals are concerned about the type of peace that will be made with the Taliban.
“I don’t say peace spoilers but those who are concerned that what type of peace should we expect in Afghanistan, what type of situation will we face?” said Abdullah.
“There are groups within the Taliban and the government who will oppose peace. They should be prevented by both sides, by Afghans and by the negotiating teams,” said Amir Mohmmad Akhundzada, member of the High Council for National Reconciliation.
The head of the reconciliation council expressed his concerns over an increase in violence in the country and said Afghans should not return to the past.
During his four-day visit to India, Abdullah met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of External Affairs of India, S. Jaishankar, in which they reiterated India’s support to the Afghan peace process, according to Abdullah’s office.